The General Studies Paper 2 (GS 2) in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) mains examination is a crucial component that assesses candidates’ understanding of governance, polity, social justice, and international relations. With a comprehensive syllabus spanning diverse topics, GS 2 aims to evaluate aspirants’ grasp of India’s political system, its constitutional provisions, policy frameworks, and contemporary issues impacting society both domestically and globally. This paper serves as a platform for candidates to demonstrate their analytical abilities, critical thinking, and awareness of current affairs while formulating solutions to complex socio-political challenges. A thorough understanding of the UPSC GS 2 Mains syllabus equips aspirants with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle a wide array of questions and contribute meaningfully to India’s administrative landscape.
UPSC Mains General Studies-II
The following subjects are covered in the Mains General Studies Paper-II:
- Governance
- Constitution
- Polity
- Social Justice
- International relations
Like General Studies I, General Studies II has very few direct questions that are related to one topic. This paper needs a fair bit of critical thinking to answer the questions correctly as many times; interrelated topics will appear.
Focus Areas in GS 2 Paper
The table below gives the focus areas in Mains GS Paper-II, which an aspirant should focus on:
| Subject | Topics |
| Polity | – Indian Constitution<br> – Features of Indian Constitution<br> – Amendments in Indian Constitution<br> – Provisions<br> – Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies |
| Governance | – Government policies and interventions<br> – Governance<br> – Transparency<br> – Accountability; – E-governance applications |
| Social Justice | – Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services<br> – Issues relating to poverty and hunger |
| International Relations | – Bilateral Groupings<br> – Regional and global groupings<br> – Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests |
How to approach Mains General Studies Paper 2
The following table will mention the important sources that an aspirant can refer to prepare for UPSC Mains GS-II:
| Subject | Sources |
| Polity | Books:<br>’Indian Polity’ by Laxmikanth (Read at least three times)<br>Class 11 NCERT – ‘Indian Constitution at Work’ |
| Governance | Daily reading of newspaper complemented with:<br>Select articles from ‘The Hindu’<br>Economic Survey<br>Press Information Bureau (PIB)<br>ARC reports |
| Social Justice | Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ newspaper |
| International Relations | – MEA Website<br>- Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ |
Questions from each of the topics mentioned above are asked in the General Studies 2 paper. To get the topic-wise GS 2 questions in UPSC Mains, you can check the linked article. These questions can help aspirants devise a strategy to prepare for each of the GS-II topics.
To get answers to the majority of doubts related to topics of Indian Polity subject, please visit the IAS Polity Questions Portal. It contains all the answers tailored to your UPSC needs for the polity subject.
GS-II Structure
Detailed Structure of Mains General Studies Paper-II for UPSC
The important features of the UPSC General Studies II Mains paper are:
- There are 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English which are to be answered in the language selected while filling out the application form. Questions that are answered in any other language are not evaluated.
- The paper is of a total of 250 marks.
- The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150, and for 15 marks is 250.
- There is a heavy emphasis on governance and polity-related topics, with a significant overlap between them and Social Justice and international relations. The type of polity questions is mostly about the applicability of constitutional amendments, rights, and significance of certain parts of the constitution.
GS-II Syllabus – Detailed Syllabus of Mains GS Paper 2
The detailed syllabus for UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II (UPSC GS 2 syllabus) is tabulated below:
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
| Indian Constitution | – Historical underpinnings of the Constitution; – Evolution of the Constitution; – Salient features; – Basic structure; – Amendments; – Significant provisions; – Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the states; – Issues and challenges related to the Federal Structure; – Devolution of powers and finances up to local government level; – Challenges in the devolution of power; – Separation of powers between various organs of the government; – Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions; – Comparison of India’s constitutional scheme with other countries;- Check Previous Years’ Constitution Questions from UPSC Mains GS 2 in the linked article. |
| Governance & Polity | – Parliament and State Legislatures; – Structure; – Functioning; – Conduct of Business; – Powers & Privileges; – Issues arising out of Powers & Privileges of legislative bodies; – Executive and Judiciary; – Structure; – Organization; – Functioning; – Ministries and departments of the government; – Pressure groups; – Formal & Informal associations and their role in the polity; – Salient features of the People’s Representation Act; – Candidates can get the relevant Polity Notes for UPSC from the linked article. |
| Governance | – Appointment to various constitutional posts; – Powers, functions, and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies; – Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies; – Government policies and interventions for the development of various sectors; – Issues arising out of design and implementation of government intervention; – Development processes and the development of the industry; – The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders; – Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability; – E-governance applications: models, successes, limitations, and potential;- Citizens charters: transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.;- Role of Civil Services in a Democracy; – Check the compilation of old Governance Questions from UPSC Mains GS 2 in the linked article. |
| Social Justice | – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by center and states; – The performance of welfare schemes; – Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections of the population; – Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; – Issues related to poverty and hunger; – The Social Justice Questions in UPSC Mains GS 2 are mentioned in the linked article. |
| International Relations | – India and its neighborhood; – Relations between India and neighboring countries; – Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interests; – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; – Indian diaspora;- Important International institutions, agencies and fora; – Structure; – Mandate; – Click on the links to aid your IR preparation: – Booklist for IAS International Relations; – UPSC Previous Years’ International Relations Questions of Mains GS 2 |
Books for GS paper 2
Below is a list of recommended books for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Main Examination):
- Governance in India – M. Laxmikanth.
- India and the World: Through the Eyes of Indian Diplomats by Surendra Kumar.
- Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu.
- NCERTs of Class XI and XII.
- Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor.
- Public Institutions in India: Performance and Design by Devesh Kapur & Pratap Bhanu Mehta.
How to Prepare UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus?
For various sections in the examination, different techniques can be used while studying & preparing for UPSC GS 2 Paper. Following given are some of them:
Polity
Initiate your GS Paper 2 preparation by delving into the NCERT books of Class 11 and 12 to grasp the fundamentals of polity. These resources will familiarize you with the key terminologies of the subject. Additionally, supplement your preparation with “Indian Polity for Civil Service Examinations” by M. Laxmikanth. Keep in mind that a thorough understanding from a select few books is more beneficial than skimming through numerous sources.
Governance
For governance topics, utilize the book “Governance in India” by M. Laxmikanth, focusing solely on content relevant to the syllabus. Additionally, consult online study materials for syllabus-specific subjects. Regarding International Relations, since questions often stem from current affairs, stay updated through newspapers, magazines, and online articles.
General Study Tips:
- Select study material judiciously, opting for the best available books.
- Create a study schedule with both short-term and long-term targets.
- Stay optimistic; there’s ample time for preparation.
- As you progress, your confidence and speed will naturally improve.
- After covering the syllabus, dedicate time to revise and tackle sample papers and past question papers.
- Review the short notes you’ve prepared on crucial topics.
GS-II Trend Analysis
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Polity | 70 | 105 | 125 |
| Governance | 45 | 10 | 30 |
| Welfare | 55 | 60 | 40 |
| International Relations | 80 | 75 | 55 |
| Total | 250 | 250 | 250 |
Analyzing the UPSC GS 2 syllabus reveals a significant overlap between subjects, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach during preparation. To succeed, a deep understanding of current affairs, the constitution, and government structure is crucial. IAS topper strategies can offer valuable insights. The table below outlines the trend analysis for GS 2 in the years 2018-2020, with a breakdown of marks in each category. For a detailed analysis from 2013 to 2016.
Polity Trend Analysis
The following graph indicates the worth of the total mark of questions asked from each subtopic in 2020:
The following graph indicates the worth of the total mark of questions asked from each subtopic in 2018 and 2019:
Governance Trend Analysis
The following graph indicates the worth of the total mark of questions asked from each subtopic in 2020:
The following graph indicates the worth of the total mark of questions asked from each subtopic in 2018 and 2019:
UPSC Exam Pattern
| Preliminary Examination |
| – General Studies |
| – Aptitude Test |
| Mains Examination |
| – Qualifying |
| – Paper-A (One of the 22 Indian Languages) |
| – Paper-B (English) |
| – Papers to be counted for merit |
| – Paper-I (Essay) |
| – Paper-II (GS-I) |
| – Paper-III (GS-II) |
| – Paper-IV (GS-III) |
| – Paper-V (GS-IV) |
| – Paper-VI (Optional Paper-I) |
| – Paper-VI (Optional Paper-II) |
| Personality Test – |
| There were significant structural changes in the pattern of the UPSC IAS Exam in 2013 and a few minor changes in 2015 and 2016. The changes related to General Studies are listed below: |
| 2013: General Studies papers increased from 2 to 4 |
| 2015: CSAT marks no longer counted towards merit list, only General Studies papers, essays, and optional papers are counted for merit ranking while CSAT became a qualifying paper. |
| 2016: General Studies Papers marks distribution changed to a two-tier system instead of the earlier equal marks distribution for all questions. |
FAQS
Q1: When is the UPSC CSE 2024 preliminary examination scheduled?
A: The UPSC CSE 2024 preliminary examination is set for 16 June,2024.
Q2: What is the commencement date for the UPSC main exam in 2024?
A: The UPSC main exam is expected to kick off on September 20, 2024.
Q3: When can we expect the official notification for UPSC CSE 2024?
A: The official notification is anticipated to be released on February 14, 2024.
Q4: When is the deadline for submitting applications for UPSC CSE 2024?
A: The application window will be open until March 5, 2024.
Q5: Where can I find the official notification for UPSC CSE 2024?
A: The official notification will be available on the official website www.upsc.gov.in.
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